Prep Dig MN Prospect Draft: Round 1
Welcome to the Prep Dig Minnesota prospect draft! With a lot of talent across the state, one creative way to organize, evaluate, and present prospects is through a simulated draft for what I would love to see in the way…
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Continue ReadingWelcome to the Prep Dig Minnesota prospect draft!
With a lot of talent across the state, one creative way to organize, evaluate, and present prospects is through a simulated draft for what I would love to see in the way of an elite summer league. Wishful thinking, I know.
How it Works
Prep Dig scouts Mike Bryant and Chris Fitzgerald will go round by round and draft teams from athletes representing the 2021 and 2022 classes in Minnesota. With a suggested eight team league we will conduct a total of 10 rounds that will roster 10 athletes per team for a total of 80 prospects selected. The draft selections each round will be shared over the month of May. We begin with Round 1 below.
“The pick is in.”
ROUND 1 SELECTIONS
Team Red
1.
Kennedi Orr
Kennedi
Orr
6'0" | S
Eagan | 2021
State
MN
– 2021 | 6’0 | S/RS | Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”]
The top-ranked athlete in the class of 2021 Prep Dig Minnesota rankings, Orr is the complete athlete on the volleyball court. She has a well-rounded skill set in her ability to set and lead an offense while also capable of providing point scoring off of her own arm. Her size and athleticism complete her game well on the defensive side as she puts of a big block and can maneuver around the floor with good quickness and range defensively. The future Nebraska Cornhusker has Team USA experience with the ability to contribute immediately at the next level.
Team Orange
2.
Erin Lamb
Erin
Lamb
6'3" | MB
Stewartville | 2021
State
MN
– 2021 | 6’3 | OH/MB | Stewartville
Lamb’s stock has among the best in the Midwest following some great volleyball over the last year and a half. Her shift to play club ball with Northern Lights was also a big help given the exposure and level of competition she experienced in their own gym and on the tournament circuit. The University of Kentucky commit has one of the heaviest arms in Minnesota and brings terrific athleticism and physicality at the net. She also has great versatility with her ability to pass, swing in the middle, and terminate with authority on the pins. She helped lead Stewartville to the 2019 class AA state title and will have them among the favorites again at the start of the 2020 season.
Team Yellow
3.
Sienna Ifill
Sienna
Ifill
6'1" | RS
Eagan | 2022
State
#83
Nation
MN
– 2022 | 6’1 | RS | Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”]
At 6’1 and boasting a recorded 10’3 approach touch, Ifill is phsyical. She has good quickness and length to add to her elevation, which makes her an imposing force at the net defensively. As her arm work at the peak of her jump continues to develop, she will grow her range and pace that will make here one of the most dangerous competitors at this level and beyond. She was a key element to the Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] effort in 2019 that saw them earn a runner-up finish in class AAA. She will be surrounded by a great returning core that should have them competing late in the season once again.
Team Green
4.
Emma Torstenson
Emma
Torstenson
5'11" | DS/L
Northfield | 2021
State
MN
– 2021 | 5’11 | L/DS | Northfield
With ball control and defense at a premium, Torstenson is a great selection in Round 1 as she is one of the best at what she does. At 5’11 she has a great physical presence at the libero position that helps her create a big platform and a lot of range in her movement to pursue the ball in serve receive and defense. Her angle creation is terrific as she executes well through good vision, patience, and efficiency in her footwork to make the right read and reaction. She will take her talent to the Pac-12 and will compete for a very good Colorado program. Northfield has some of the best team ball control in the state and will once again be in the mix atop the polls in 2020 with the returning arms that will benefit from the passing that Torstenson and company will provide.
Team Blue
5.
Ava Moes
Ava
Moes
6'3" | RS
Lakeville South | 2021
State
MN
– 2021 | 6’3 | RS |
Lakeville South
Moes can flat out thump the ball. The arm strength and speed should puts on the ball creates some of the biggest power on the club circuit. Her approach movement is fluid as she builds the right momentum and gets to the ball well on the final two steps. She has been a consistent offensive threat for the past couple of years for both her
Lakeville South
and Northern Lights club teams, earning her a great opportunity at the next level as she will take her game to Tennessee in the SEC. Look for
Lakeville South
to have a very competitive year behind Moes and some key athletes in other positions.
Team Indigo
6.
Julia Hanson
Julia
Hanson
6'0" | OH
Prior Lake | 2022
State
#57
Nation
MN
– 2022 | 6’0 | OH | Prior Lake
The #1 ranked athlete in the class of 2022 for Prep Dig Minnesota, Hanson can elevate. With a recorded 10’2 approach, she provides high contact and good arm control, which poses a lot of challenges for opposing defenses. She also has the ability to score from both pins and a variety of zones in between that can put pressure on the defense to find and contain her. Her explosiveness benefits her in other areas of her game as she can get up and on top of hitters fast when blocking while also being able to swing for points from the back row. The Prior Lake phenom is committed to national power Minnesota.
Team Violet
7.
Kendal Kemp
Kendal
Kemp
6'6" | MB
Eagan | 2022
State
#84
Nation
MN
– 2022 | 6’6 | MH | Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”]
The third Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] High School athlete and third 2022 prospect selected in the first round, Kemp brings great size and length to the net. At 6’6, she is among the tallest athletes in the state and has continued to develop her effectiveness with increased foot speed and arm work at the peak of her jump. Her offensive range has grown as well due to her ability to get off the net with good awareness of her transition opportunities and versatility to option in front or behind the setter. Her move to perennial power Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] last year complements well the club experience she has gained over the past few months among a collection of some of the best athletes in Minnesota and in competing against some of the best teams nationally.
Team Pink
8.
Payton Evenstad
Payton
Evenstad
6'0" | S
Faribault | 2021
State
MN
– 6’0 | S | Faribault
Evenstad, ranked #5 in the 2021 Prep Dig Minnesota rankings, is the second ranked setter among this class. Perhaps overlooked a bit given some other athletes and high school programs represented in the rankings, Evenstad has great game. She commands the floor and her offense well with good footwork and an effortless extension to push the ball through both pins with great accuracy and tempo. She has great size for a setter at 6’0 that will benefit her through all six rotations on both sides of the ball. She has been a very effective two-way player at Faribault in swinging from the pin in the front row while setting from the back row.